I still remember the excitement buzzing through the arena during the 2016 PBA Draft—the air thick with anticipation as team executives shuffled their notes and fans debated potential picks. Looking back now, eight years later, it's fascinating to see how those top selections have shaped the league's landscape. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball religiously since the early 2000s, I've developed a particular fondness for analyzing draft classes, and the 2016 batch stands out as particularly transformative. What makes this draft class special isn't just the individual talents but how they've collectively influenced the modern PBA game, especially with the rising importance of the three-point shot that we see today.
When we talk about the 2016 draft, the conversation naturally begins with the first overall pick—and what an interesting choice that turned out to be. The Phoenix Fuel Masters selected Matthew Wright, who had already built his reputation through stellar performances with the Philippine national team. I'll admit I had my doubts initially about how his game would translate to the PBA, but boy was I wrong. Wright immediately made an impact, averaging around 17.2 points in his rookie season while shooting an impressive 38% from beyond the arc. His ability to create his own shot and space the floor fundamentally changed how Phoenix approached their offense. What many people don't remember is that there was serious debate at the time about whether Raymond Almazan should have been the top pick instead. While Almazan has developed into a reliable big man, I'd argue Wright's offensive versatility made him the correct choice, even if his career trajectory has seen some ups and downs since then.
The second pick brought us Kevin Ferrer, selected by Barangay Ginebra, and here's where my personal bias might show—I've always been fascinated by players who excel in specific, game-changing skills. Ferrer came in with a reputation as a sharpshooter, and though his consistency has wavered over the years, his championship experience with the Gin Kings has been invaluable. What many casual fans might not realize is that Ferrer actually attempted approximately 5.8 three-pointers per game during his first three seasons, demonstrating how teams were already prioritizing floor spacing even back in 2016. His development path reminds me that not every draft pick needs to become a superstar to contribute meaningfully to a team's success.
Now, the real gem of this draft class emerged at the third spot, where the TNT KaTropa selected Roger Pogoy. In my opinion, Pogoy has developed into the most complete player from this draft, and I don't say that lightly. His two-way versatility is something I wish more young players would emulate—he can lockdown the opponent's best perimeter player while simultaneously dropping 20 points on efficient shooting. What's remarkable about Pogoy is how he's improved his three-point percentage from 31% in his rookie year to consistently hovering around 37-39% in recent seasons. This kind of development doesn't happen by accident—it speaks to his work ethic and the quality of coaching he's received.
The middle of the first round produced several rotation players who've had varying impacts. Jio Jalalon (selected 4th) brought his trademark pesky defense, while Russel Escoto (5th) and Carl Bryan Cruz (8th) have shown flashes of potential despite inconsistent minutes. But what truly fascinates me about reviewing this draft class is seeing how the league's style of play has evolved to prioritize the very skills that many of these players possessed. The three-point revolution that was slowly brewing in 2016 has now fully arrived in the PBA, and it's interesting to note how several players from this draft have contributed to that shift.
Which brings me to an interesting connection—while Calvin Oftana wasn't part of the 2016 draft class (he entered the league much later), his style of play represents the natural evolution of what teams were beginning to value back in 2016. I was watching a game recently where, according to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Facebook page, Oftana was among the players who hit key threes in the fourth quarter to secure a crucial victory. This kind of clutch three-point shooting is exactly what teams envisioned when they drafted sharpshooters back in 2016. The league has moved toward positionless basketball where wings who can defend multiple positions and knock down threes are incredibly valuable—exactly the prototype that several 2016 picks represented.
Reflecting on the entire draft class, approximately 14 of the 28 players selected are still active in the league today, which represents a fairly successful retention rate compared to some other draft years I've analyzed. The 2016 draft produced three All-Stars and two players who've made the Mythical Team at least once—numbers that might seem modest but represent quality contributions when you consider the context. What I find most impressive is how this draft class has adapted to the changing demands of Philippine basketball. The emphasis on three-point shooting, versatile wing play, and positionless basketball that we see today was foreshadowed by the skillsets prioritized in the 2016 selections.
As I look at current PBA games and see the influence of the 2016 draftees, I'm reminded that evaluating a draft class requires patience and context. Some players developed faster than others, some found their roles later in their careers, and others carved out niches that nobody could have predicted on draft night. The true impact of the 2016 PBA Draft extends beyond statistics and individual accolades—it helped transition the league toward the modern, pace-and-space style we enjoy today. The next time you watch a PBA game and see a wing player knock down a crucial three-pointer, remember that the 2016 draft class played a significant role in making that moment possible.
